Secrecy and Security News

October 2006

NRC Proposed Rule on Protection of Safeguards Information, Federal Register, October 31. "The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations for the protection of Safeguards Information (SGI) to
protect SGI from inadvertent release and unauthorized disclosure which might compromise the security of nuclear facilities and materials."

Secrecy board called 'toothless' by Shaun Waterman, United Press International, October 30. "A special panel set up last year to reduce excessive secrecy in government is being labeled toothless after its chairman told lawmakers he could not act except at the request of the president."

Halliburton Impeded U.S. Oversight of Work in Iraq by Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg News, October 27. "Halliburton Co., the largest U.S. contractor in Iraq, has impeded efforts by the U.S. government to oversee its work and check its bills, according to a new audit."

Intelligence Plan Targets Training, Keeping Personnel by Karen DeYoung and Walter Pincus, Washington Post, October 19. "U.S. intelligence efforts are hampered by inefficient methods for recruiting, training and assigning personnel, according to a new human resources plan that calls for a more 'corporate' business model and increased cooperation within the 16-agency intelligence community."

DOE reduces use of polygraph technology by Aliya Sternstein, Federal Computer Week, October 16. "The Energy Department plans to end its across-the-board polygraph testing of job applicants and employees, according to a rule that department officials published in the Federal Register."

TSA Secrecy Rules Eased by Spencer Hsu, Washington Post, October 12. "A $34.8 billion homeland security spending bill signed by President Bush last week requires the department to release 'security sensitive information' that is more than three years old and is not part of existing plans or certain categories, barring 'a rational reason' cited by Secretary Michael Chertoff that it should remain secret."

Bush signings called effort to expand power by Charlie Savage, Boston Globe, October 5. "President Bush's frequent use of signing statements to assert that he has the power to disobey newly enacted laws is 'an integral part' of his 'comprehensive strategy to strengthen and expand executive power' at the expense of the legislative branch, according to a report by the non partisan Congressional Research Service.... The Federation of American Scientists has posted a copy (pdf) on its website."